Illinois congressmen concerned by promotion of former VA regional head

Diane Wilkins

Sunday

Jul 27, 2008 at 12:01 AMJul 27, 2008 at 5:22 PM

The Illinois Congressional delegation has expressed some grave concerns over a recent promotion in the Veterans Administration.

The concerns deal with the recent appointment of Dr. Peter Almeoff to the position of Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health and Quality Safety.

The Illinois congressional delegation has expressed grave concerns over a recent promotion in the Veterans Administration.

Dr. Peter Almenoff, who recently was appointed to assistant deputy undersecretary for health and quality safety, had oversight over the Marion, Ill., VA center when nine people died because of substandard care, according to U.S. Sen. Dick Durban.

Almenoff is the former head of the regional network responsible for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Marion.

Durbin, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, as well as Congressmen Jerry Costello and John Shimkus, sent a joint letter to Secretary of the VA Dr. James Peake asking for an explanation of the VA's decision to promote Almenoff.

"Just last week, (Almenoff) was given a promotion expanding his authority over health care throughout the VA,” Durbin said. “Critical questions about Dr. Almenoff's role in overseeing the quality of care at Marion VA should have been answered before his appointment."

Shimkus voiced his concern about trust and confidence.

"Many veterans have lost confidence in the Marion VA Medical Center, and their trust must be earned back," Shimkus said. "Promoting someone at this time who had been in the chain of command, such as Dr. Almenoff, sends the wrong message to those who have put their lives on the line for this nation."

In the letter to Peake, the delegation pointed out that the role of the network in the failure of the Marion facility was never formally reviewed. Nor were network officials included in the administrative board of investigation review.

"Instead, the VA has promoted the director, who should have been aware of the mismanagement at Marion — mismanagement that led to the deaths of veterans who had every right to trust that they would receive quality medical care."

The letter also said that this promotion will be frustrating for the veterans who rely on the Marion medical center, particularly since quality and safety issues were at the forefront of the facility's problems.

"We have repeatedly emphasized that the VA needs to be very clear with the public about how it is proceeding to restore confidence in the Marion VAMC," Costello said. "Given Dr. Almenoff's previous position, we need more information as to how his promotion best serves the VA and our veterans."

Obama summarized the concerns.

"After last year's unacceptable tragedies and negligent administration of the Marion VA, it is deeply troubling that Secretary Peake would promote the individual apparently responsible for the mismanagement of the facility to lead the department's health quality and safety efforts," Obama said. "There are too many unanswered questions about Almenoff's role in the mismanagement of Marion that it seems imprudent to move forward with this appointment without further explanation. Our veterans and service members deserve care worthy of their sacrifice, and they should not be put in danger."

Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth was at the Marion VAMC when the appointment came to light.

Duckworth has testified before congressional subcommittees on several occasions.

"While I have no say in what the federal (veterans) administration does, I will be watching developments closely," Duckworth said. "I do have my concerns, but I will reserve judgment until all the facts are out."

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